There’s nothing worse than realising you’ve stained your favourite wool sweater. But don’t freak out and start despairing. The faster you act, the better chance you have of salvaging your sweater. We’ll show you how to get stains out of wool sweater whether you’re dealing with:

• Grass 
• Wine 
• Juice
• Coffee
• Chocolate
• Makeup 
• Blood
• Ink
• Grease
• Or anything in between! 

You’ll also learn how to remove old stains from wool sweater if you discovered the issue too late. But in these cases, it’s not always possible. Your only option may be to upgrade to a new 100% wool sweater, right here at Aran Sweater Market.

Whether you want a men’s merino wool sweater or the merino wool sweater women love, everything is handcrafted in Ireland using ancient knitting techniques passed down from generations. Spoil yourself with a stunning new sweater that will stand the test of time!

“My Aran sweater and cardigan are made of good quality merino wool, am happy with the products.” - Liu

“I will purchase again! The customer service was AMAZING.” - Harley

“I found my cardigan and loved it. Ordered it and it came to me really fast. Now that I have it, I love it even more!” - Elizabeth

How to Remove Old Stains From Wool Sweater: Quick Tips for Removing Different Types of Stains

Not all stains call for the same removal tactics. Different substances will have different effects on wool fibres, so you need to figure out exactly what caused the mark before doing anything else. Don’t rush to start rubbing hot water into the stain. Here are tips depending on what you’re up against.

Butter, Sauce, or Other Grease Stains

Grease grips wool very tightly, so the first step is to pull excess oil out of the fibres. Lay the sweater flat and sprinkle a little baking soda, cornflour, or talc over the stain. Leave it for an hour so it can absorb the oil, then brush or shake it off.

Then you can mix a small amount of mild wool detergent with cool water and dab the stain using a clean cloth - NEVER RUB. That will only push the grease deeper into the wool fibres. Rinse the area with cool water and repeat the process if the mark is still visible

Grass Stains

Grass stains cling through natural pigments, which can be tricky on light wool. Start by blotting the stain with cool water to loosen anything sitting on the surface.

The best stain remover for wool in this case is white vinegar - it helps break down the plant pigments without harming wool. We suggest mixing about one part vinegar to three parts water and dabbing the stain gently. 

If your grass stain still lingers after this, switch to a mix of mild wool detergent and cool water and continue blotting. Rinse well and lay flat to dry. Whatever you do, don’t use harsh brightening agents. They’ll just strip colour or roughen the fibres. 

Wine, Spirits, or Juice Stains

These are some of the most common stains our customers call us asking for help with. Unfortunately, they also settle really fast. So if you’re hoping to learn how to remove old stains from wool sweater, you’ll need to practice quite a bit of patience!

Blot the area with cool water first to lift whatever you can. Follow this up with a mix of cool water and a little wool detergent. Dab gently. Keep the area damp but not soaked.

For red wine specifically, we recommend a diluted vinegar solution to help neutralise the colour. Work slowly and check the fabric frequently. You’ll eventually see the stain beginning to fade. At this point, you can rinse with cool water and repeat until the colour is gone. 

Don’t use household bleaching agents, though - these will damage the wool beyond repair. 

Blood Stains

Cold water is essential here. Warm or hot water will set the stain. As for old blood stains specifically, soak a clean cloth in cool water and dab repeatedly to loosen the dried proteins. A little salt mixed with cool water can sometimes help lift stubborn spots.

A wool-safe enzyme cleaner may work better for larger stains, but use it sparingly and follow the instructions carefully. Rinse the area thoroughly and lay the sweater flat to dry.

Coffee, Chocolate, and Tea Stains

The tannins from these stains grip to wool, so start by scraping away any dried material with a soft edge. Blot the area with cool water. Gently dab the stain with a mix of wool detergent and cool water. Working from the outside in will stop it from spreading.

Chocolate in particular can be tricky to clean up. We recommend breaking down the oils first by blotting with a bit of diluted dish soap - then switch to wool detergent. Rinse with cool water and repeat if needed. Patience will pay off big time here.

Makeup Stains

Whether you’re struggling with foundation, lipstick, or cream on your wool sweater, begin by lifting the oils. Place your sweater flat and press a clean, dry cloth against the mark to absorb surface residue. Next, apply a little wool detergent mixed with cool water. Dab gently. 

Oil-based makeup often responds well to a tiny dab of diluted dish soap before switching to wool detergent, but keep it minimal. You don’t want to be too harsh here. Rinse with cool water and repeat until the stain is gone. 

Powder-based makeup usually lifts faster. Just dab with cool water and wool detergent, then rinse well. That should be all it takes.

Ink Stains

Not all ink stains behave the same since inks can consist of very different formulas. Some marks respond much faster than others. 

Start by placing a clean cloth under the stain to stop it from spreading through layers. Gently dab the area with a cloth dipped in cool water mixed with a touch of rubbing alcohol. Use the smallest amount you possibly can. Too much will dry out the wool’s fibres.

Work slowly and check your progress often. Switch to wool detergent and cool water once the ink begins to break down, then rinse thoroughly. Repeat until the stain fades.

General Tips on Wool Sweater Stain Removal 

There you have it, how to remove old stains from wool sweater! We hope you’re able to restore your garment to its original lustre. But we want to provide some general tips on how to get stains out of wool sweater, no matter what mess you’re up against:

• Use cool water for every step. Warmth can lock stains in place.
• Blot rather than rub to avoid pushing pigment or oils deeper into the knit.
• Mix treatments gently. Mild wool detergent is your safest starting point.
• Patch-test anything new on an inside seam before touching the stain.
• After cleaning, reshape the sweater and lay it flat to dry so it keeps its structure.
• If the stain lifts slowly, work in short rounds, checking the fabric often.

Most stains, even those that have had time to set, can be cleared up with these tips. But if you’ve tried and tried, and still can’t get that stain out, try not to despair too much. When one door closes, another opens - and your search for brand new Irish wool sweaters ends here!

What if My Wool Sweater is Beyond Saving?

Unfortunately, wool fibres don’t always bounce back. Maybe you waited too long to address the stain and it’s become one with the sweater. Deep discolouration, hardened patches, or sections that have completely lost their shape suggest the damage has gone too far.

Our collection at Aran Sweater Market is made in Ireland using natural wool and the stitches that have defined Aran knitwear for generations. You’ll find heavier fisherman knits, lighter merino styles, and cardigans in colours pulled from the Irish landscape.

Everything is crafted with the utmost care and attention to detail, using the finest wool sourced locally. Your order is backed by our 90-day return policy, and we have a 4.6/5 star rating across over 50,000 verified reviews on Trustpilot. Take a look and see what catches your eye!

Final Words on How to Get Stains Out of Wool Sweater

That does it for our guide on how to remove old stains from wool sweater. It just comes down to using the right cleaning agent, cool water, and a whole lot of patience. 

Our blog has more care tips on how to soften stiff wool sweater, how to remove pills from sweaters, how to fix a hole in a merino wool sweater, or how to unshrink wool sweater. Aran Sweater Market is your trusted source for all things wool sweaters.

On that note, the only thing left to do - whether you’ve been able to restore your stained wool sweater or not - is treat yourself to something new and exciting from our collection. Find your new favourite wool sweater for women or men’s wool sweater today!

Frequently asked questions

How do you get old stains out of wool?

Work with cool water, mild wool detergent, and gentle blotting. Older stains often lift in stages, so take your time and don’t give up hope too soon.

Does vinegar remove stains from wool?

Vinegar can help with plant-based or colour stains. Just use it sparingly (proper dilution is key to avoiding damage) and always patch test first. 

Can you remove years old stains?

Some will lift with careful treatment, but stains that have set deep into the fibres may only fade rather than disappear fully. You may not be able to see results from our advice on how to remove old stains from wool sweater, but you can always upgrade at Aran Sweater Market! 

Is Dawn dish soap ok for wool?

A tiny, diluted amount can help with oily stains, but switch back to wool detergent straight away to protect the fibres.